Eastbourne Half Marathon

Princes Park, Royal Parade, Eastbourne

The Race...

All runners should be in place by 9:50am for a 10am start. The start will not be delayed for late arrivals.
On crossing the finish line, all runners should move quickly forward to collect medals, and should not crowd the finish area

The route is mainly flat with a hill between 2 - 3 miles.
If you are not used to running regularly take it easy!
Also as you pass through the harbour, there are several tight turns and three pedestrian swing bridges and a small gravel slope which may be slippery.
All these hazards will be well signposted and marshalled but please be aware.
N.B. These bridges will be down for the 90 minutes without rising, allowing the majority of runners through without a delay.
After this time you may have to wait a few minutes for the bridge to lower.

Side Roads: Parts of the race (especially around Sovereign Harbour) will cross side roads and, whilst marshalled, all runners are responsible for their own safety whilst crossing these roads. Please be aware of traffic entering and leaving these side roads.
Pedestrians: We cannot close the seafront promenades and pavements to pedestrians so runners should note these as potential hazards. We would ask all runners to be courteous to pedestrians, and anyone found verbally abusing pedestrians will have their number noted and will be disqualified.
Street furniture: Please take care with seats, bollards, bus shelters etc.
The organisers will not be held responsible for any loss, personal injury or damage to any runner as a result of entering or participating in this event.
Bridges – see above

Please note that road closures are for a set period depending on the road.
If finishing after this time, for your own safety, please move on to the pavement if requested to do so by the police / marshals.

It is each runners responsibility to take care of their own safety and welfare before, during, and after the event.
St John's Ambulance personnel will be on duty in case of need.
If you feel unwell during the event, please go the closest marshal on the course and seek assistance.
RAYNET are on hand to offer emergency radio services on the day.

For many runners, a ½ marathon is the pinnacle of their ambition; for others it is a a competitive race or a stage on the way to completing a full marathon (or greater). Either way, it should be treated seriously and you need to be in good physical shape to attempt it, and hopefully, complete it.
Do NOT attempt to run on the day if you are feeling under the weather – you may do yourself more harm than good.
If you are new to running, follow a training plan to prepare yourself for the day. Good advice on training and how to prepare for the event can be found on the Runners World website – www.runnersworld.co.uk. Specific details can be found here:

“RW Big Race Training menu” www.runnersworld.co.uk/news/article.asp?UAN=1500

Follow the page links for more specific details
Make sure you have appropriate footwear suitable to running a ½ marathon. If in doubt, visit a good running store to seek advice.
Wearing appropriate running kit will help to keep you comfortable, warm and dry if the weather is adverse. Again a good running store can advise.

Race numbers will be sent out with Sports System timing chips following closure of entries on 17th February 2009.

Results will be available for you throughout the morning on the results board, which will be continually updated.
Results will also be uploaded to our results page later the same day as well as published in the Eastbourne Herald.

The Start and Finish of the race will be at Princes Park, Royal Parade Eastbourne (BN22 7LH) - by Sovereign Centre eastern end of seafront).
Approaching from the coastal A259. Follow signs to seafront. Follow seafront to Sovereign Centre.
Approaching from the A27, follow the signs to Eastbourne seafront, where you arrive at the Sovereign Centre roundabout.
By rail.
Princes Park is a 40 minute walk from the Eastbourne railway station.
Please leave plenty of time for your journey

There is limited street parking around Princes Park.
(PLEASE do park legally and respect local residents).
Extra parking will be available in the Fishermans Car Park on seafront (Free parking but limited spaces - must display parking permit which will be handed out (space permitting) as you enter the car park.
All other car parks on the seafront are pay and display and there will be delays on exiting the car park opposite Princes Park at Fort Fun whilst the run is still in progress.
PLEASE DO NOT LEAVE ANY VALUABLES IN YOUR CAR, WE CANNOT BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY LOSS FROM YOUR CAR.

Please respect the marshals and all the helpers on the day.
Please obey the instructions of the Police and marshals and do thank them and remember that they have given up their time in order to make the race possible.

We are very grateful to St. John’s for providing First Aid for our event in the form of two ambulances and a team of their trained staff around the course.
It you require the assistance of St. John’s or need to withdraw from the event, please see a marshal, who will assist you.
We will provide a sweeper vehicle to pick up any runners that cannot complete the course.

There will be a race clock on the start and finish gantry.
There will also be a race clock on the lead vehicle leading the race on the parts of the course that are on the roads.
Whilst the race is on the promenade the race will be lead by a cyclist.
All timings are being recorded using electronic chips stuck on the reverse of your running number.
All results will be uploaded to the event website www.eastbournehalf.co.uk immediately after the race and sent out in the post by Beckets for all those that elected to have this service.